Mystic Pizza (1988)

An early girl-from-the-wrong-side-of-the-tracks-with-a-heart-of-gold film for Roberts, this coming-of-age treat not only co-stars Lili Taylor and Annabeth Gish, but it also features Matt Damon's first words on film. ("Mom, do you want my green stuff?", referring to his lobster dinner). Roberts looks adorable (especially when she pulls an early "Before He Cheats" move, destroying the car of the rich boy she thinks is unfaithful) and you're rooting for her the whole time.

Steel Magnolias (1989)

This Southern-fried weep-fest that has fueled more than a few Sunday afternoons on the couch (with tissues, of course). As Shelby, whose wedding colors were "blush and bashful," Roberts held her own alongside Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Shirley MacLaine, Sally Field and Darryl Hannah. Standing up for her belief that she "would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special," Roberts was radiant, even in some particularly stellar '80s looks.

Pretty Woman (1990)

Somehow, between the hair, the way Richard Gere looks in a suit and Garry Marshall's genius comic direction (not to mention, Robert's unbelievably lovable star turn as Vivian ?Viv Babe? Ward), this Cinder-f-ing-rella tale about a hooker and a billionaire became a classic. Pretty Woman—and that megawatt smile—made Roberts a household name and a Hollywood heavyweight (she now reportedly earns $500,000 a minute for certain projects).

The Pelican Brief (1993)

This was the serious one. In the movie adaptation of John Grisham's legal thriller, Roberts played law student Darby Shaw, who unwittingly uncovers a government conspiracy when writing a brief on Supreme Court voting patterns. Despite mourning the murder of her law professor (and lover) while fearing for her own life, she teams up for an investigative reporter (Denzel Washington) to flush out the corrupt officials no matter what the cost.

Erin Brockovich (2003)

It was all about the (fake) boobs when Roberts finally won an Oscar for her portrayal of a single mom who couldn't catch a break. After guilting her lawyer into hiring her, Brockovich starts work at his firm, where no one takes her outspoken nature (and trashy outfits) seriously. But when she discovers a gas and electric company illegally dumping toxic waste and poisoning local residents, she finds herself at the head of one of the biggest class action suits in American history.

Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

In this ivy-covered period film, Roberts played a state university grad hired to teach art history at Wellesley College in 1953. Her character's modern, middle-class sensibilities stand out as she tries to teach her students how to think beyond settling into a good marriage, but even though she only spent a year at the school, she left with the students' admiration—just like Roberts' young costars, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ginnifer Goodwin and Julia Stiles likely admired her.

Charlie Wilson's War (2007)

It may have been Wilson's war (and, really, Tom Hanks' movie), but Roberts was a scene-stealer as big-haired, big-mouthed Texan socialite Joanne Herring, who helped the U.S. Representative persuade the government to train Afghani resistance fighters during the Soviet War. Herring may have lived a lavish life, but she also put her money where her mouth was, standing up for the causes she supported.

Duplicity (2009)

She never caused same kind of tabloid frenzy as Angelina Jolie post-Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but CIA spy Claire Stenwick was one of our favorite Roberts characters in years. Smart, sexy, cool under pressure—Roberts made this bad girl relatable by tapping into her steamy chemistry with costar Clive Owens. She may not have pulled off her con job—and we might never have actually figured out who conned who— but she finally opened her heart to the man she loved. Aww...

Eat Pray Love (2010)

As Elizabeth Gilbert, Roberts traveled to Italy, where she indulged in pleasure (the actress said she gained 7 to 10 pounds eating pizza every day), India, where she sought prayer and a peaceful mind, and Bali, where she struggled to find balance—and fell in love. Who wouldn't love a year off to discover themselves? But we also wouldn't mind spending time with Roberts' gorgeous co-stars, Billy Crudup, James Franco and Javier Bardem.